The river has three names - Chaliyar, Nilambur River, and Beypore puzha, of which the first one is more popular. The river meets the Lakshadweep Sea[1] at an 'azhi' (estuary), the southern part of which is known as Chaliyam and northern part as Beypore. Unlike many other rivers in Kerala, Chaliyar does not dry up during the dry season in December and March.
Chaliyar is also the name of a place and a Grama panchayat in NilamburTaluk, which is located near the Nilambur Municipality, where Conolly's plot, the oldest manmade teak plantation in the world is located.[4]
During late 19th century and early 20th century, the Chaliyar was extensively used as a waterway for carrying timber from the forest areas in and around Nilambur to the various mills in Kallai of Calicut city. Rafts made of logs were taken downstream during the monsoon season to Kallayi, where these were sawn to size in the timber mills dotting the banks of the river. Kallai was during this period one of the most important centers in the world for timber business. The place was famous for wood of superlative strength and durability like teak, rosewood, etc. Towards the second half of the 20th century, the activity came down drastically as tree felling was banned or strictly controlled with a view to stop deforestation. Many mills still operate in Kallai, though with far less output. Many have closed down.
Ecology
Chaliyar river at Cheruvannur, FerokeBoat service in Chaliyar at ElamaramHanging bridge across Chaliyar River in Nilambur, which connects to Conolly Teak Plantation.
Chaliyar River was in the news a few years ago because of the ecological damage caused by a pulp factory at Mavoor, that released effluents into the river and affected the marine life. This factory has since closed down.
K. A. Rahman led the agitation for cleanup of the river, and inspired the formation of an anti-pollution committee, Paristhithi Samrakshana Samithi, in 1999.[citation needed]
Elamaram is a village in the Indian state of Kerala. It is situated near Edavannappara in Malappuram District of Kerala. This village is very scenic as it is on the bank of Chaliyar. There is a ferry service here that can take you to the northern side of the Chaliyar river. The ticket is Rs.5.00 and the motor boat service is available every half an hour between 6.40 a.m. and 8.40 p.m. including Sundays.
Pilgrimage
Sri Saligrama Temple in the bank of Chaliyar river at Areekode. The temple offers services to immerse cremation ashes in the sacred mountain stream to be thus carried to the ocean. This is a part of the last rites. Major Balitharpana temple in South Malabar.
The Konnara Dargah is three kilometres away from Elamaram on the bank of the Chaliyar river. It is the holy resting place of a Muslim saint where hundreds of pilgrims visit regularly.
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